Creative Industries in the South West

There’s no doubt about it; the creative industries are booming. Experiencing massive growth in the last decade (twice the rate of the economy) they are considered one of the dynamic components of the emergent knowledge economy.

The creative industries make a vital and growing contribution to the economy of the South West, providing direct employment for nearly 94,000 people as well as adding 1.9 million to the Southwest’s economic output. The region is a hotbed of creative business activity and digital media and the sector is growing more rapidly than anywhere else in the UK, employing more creatives than any other region outside London.

Clusters of global cutting-edge companies working in TV and film production, computer graphics, interactive media, publishing and new music technology have sprung up around the region like Aaardman Animation, Twofour Productions, HP Labs and the BBC Natural History Unit. In addition, the South West boasts a flourishing community of craftspeople and artists working in a variety of materials and media, from glass and metal to jewellery and pottery.

At Plymouth College of Art we are ideally positioned to tap into that sector to help you hone your creative skills and turn them into a profession, building links, contacts and experience that can launch your career.